In Paris, Classical Music at a Holy Site

Paris

From March through December, the beautiful and intimate Ste. Chapelle plays host to a series of concerts. Hidden behind the walls of the Palace of Justice, in the Ile de la Cité, the historical heart of Paris, the spot (8, Boulevard du Palais, 33-104-407-1238) makes a magical site for glorious music.

The programs for July and August are particularly rich, with performances of popular composers like Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Gounod, Dvorak, Granados and others, played by distinguished soloists, chamber groups and orchestras. And it’s the big names that can draw visitors back for less famous composers.

“People often come to hear Mozart or Vivaldi, and then they come back for the lesser- known St.-George or Vitali,” said Yann Harleux, the manager of Euromusic, a musical resource group that organizes the majority of the concerts. “The sacred masterpieces naturally have their place here; as well as, more frequently, the giants of the 19th century, usually for their piano compositions.”

While concerts also take place in other churches, including Eglise de la Madeleine and Eglise St. Ephrem, those in Ste. Chapelle offer an opportunity to see the chapel’s famous, brilliantly colored stained glass windows.

“The combination of the music and the atmosphere can transport you to another world,” Mr. Harleux said.

Usually there are two concerts daily at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the day’s performance can be obtained on the Web site or at the chapel, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. It is a good idea to allow a 15-minute delay for security check on the perimeter of the Palace of Justice.